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Pittsburgh Opera continues its 77th season with
a Mozart favorite - COSÌ FAN TUTTE, or the "School for Lovers."

"Britain's Favorite
Baritone," Sir Thomas Allen (the real-life inspiration for "Billy
Elliot") not only directs, but plays the cynical philosopher Don Alfonso
in this charming production. Combine a cast as talented as they are attractive with
Mozart's brilliant score, and you have a sublime opera experience of poignant
comedy. Set in the Italian seaside, the story centers around two couples and
one wager - will they be faithful? Two young military officers are confident
their girlfriends will remain true to them. Don Alfonso believes otherwise, and
unleashes an inventive scheme to find out.

COSÌ FAN TUTTE is the
last of the three masterful collaborations between Mozart and librettist
Lorenzo da Ponte (the other two were THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO and DON GIOVANNI). It
premiered just a year before Mozart’s death.

On stage November 7, 10,
13, and 15, it brings laughs and soul searching to the Benedum Center. Tickets
start at $12.

Anguish

Three facts about COSÌ
FAN TUTTE

1.Known
as “The School for Lovers”, the title, “Così fan tutte”, literally means
"Thus do all [women]," and is often translated into English as
"Women are like that".1

2.Sir
Thomas Allen, who grew up in a mining community in northern England where a
career in the arts was “not highly looked upon,”2 was the
inspiration for the famous character “Billy Elliott” in the namesake movie and
play. Sir Thomas was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire in
1989 and Knight Bachelor in 1999 for services to opera. Sir Thomas is also
Chancellor of Durham University.

3.There
are multiple versions of the ending. In Mozart’s original production, the
ladies remain with their original boyfriends. However, some contemporary
directors have them swap boyfriends, or have only one couple stay together, or
have them both break up. (No spoiler alert for Pittsburgh Opera’s production…)

Men plotting

The story, in brief

Mozart's
COSÌ FAN TUTTE takes place in Naples during the late 18th century.

Act I

Two
young officers, Ferrando and Guglielmo, boast about the beauty and virtue of
their girlfriends, the sisters Fiordiligi and Dorabella. Their older friend,
the cynical Don Alfonso, declares that a woman’s constancy is like the
phoenix—everyone talks about it but no one has ever seen it. He proposes a
wager: if they’ll give him one day and do everything he asks, he will prove to
them that the sisters are unfaithful, like all other women. Amused, the young
men agree.

Fiordiligi
and Dorabella think of their lovers, imagining that they will soon be married.
Alfonso’s plot begins when he arrives with terrible news: the young officers
have been called away to their regiment. Ferrando and Guglielmo appear,
apparently heartbroken, and the four make tearful farewells.

The
sisters’ maid Despina complains about how much work she has to do around the
house. Dorabella vents her despair at her lover’s absence. Despina refuses to
take her seriously: they should simply find new lovers, since men are unworthy
of a woman’s fidelity. Fiordiligi and Dorabella are shocked. Alfonso bribes
Despina to assist him, without revealing his plot. Ferrando and Guglielmo enter
in disguise as foreigners, and declare their admiration for the ladies, each
addressing the other’s girlfriend. The sisters reject their advances,
Fiordiligi comparing her constancy to a rock in a storm. The men are confident
of winning the bet. Ferrando expresses his love for Dorabella, and the two
friends leave.

As
the sisters continue to lament the absence of their lovers, the “foreigners”
return, pretending to have poisoned themselves in despair over their rejection.
Despina and Alfonso go off to fetch help, leaving the two girls to care for the
strangers. Despina reappears, disguised as a doctor, and pretends to treat the
patients. When Ferrando and Guglielmo request kisses in order to fully recover,
the sisters again reject them, but it is clear they’re beginning to show
interest in the strangers.

Puppet Masters

Act
II

Despina
lectures her mistresses on how to handle men and the sisters agree that there
can be no harm in a little flirtation. They decide on their partners, each
picking the other’s suitor. Guglielmo, flirting with Dorabella, succeeds, but
Ferrando has less luck with Fiordiligi. When he leaves, though, she struggles
with her emotions.

Ferrando
is certain that they have won the wager. Guglielmo is happy to hear that
Fiordiligi has been faithful to him, but when he shows his friend the portrait
that Dorabella gave him, Ferrando is furious. Guglielmo, adopting Alfonso’s
philosophy, blames it on the women. He asks Alfonso to pay him his half of the
winnings, but Alfonso reminds him that the day is not yet over.

Fiordiligi
reproaches her sister for her behavior, but Dorabella replies that love is a
thief who rewards those who obey him. Alone, Fiordiligi decides to join
Guglielmo at the front, when suddenly Ferrando appears. He tries one last time
to seduce her and succeeds.

Guglielmo
is furious, but Alfonso again declares that this is the way women are. A man
who has been deceived can blame only himself.

The
sisters have agreed to marry the “foreigners.” Everything is ready and Alfonso
arrives with the notary—Despina in another disguise. As Fiordiligi and
Dorabella sign the contract, military music announces the return of their
former lovers. In panic, they hide their intended husbands, who return as their
real selves, first pretending surprise at their reception, then, when they
discover the marriage contract, blaming the girls and threatening revenge.
Finally, the men reveal their disguised identities and Fiordiligi and Dorabella
ask forgiveness. Alfonso bids the lovers learn their lesson.

Opera
Up Close is an in-depth look at the music and story of Mozart's COSÌ FAN TUTTE
with singers and the production’s conductor. Admission is $5; free to members of FRIENDS of Pittsburgh Opera
and $50+ donors. Handicapped parking is available by reservation. For more information: 412-281-0912
or pittsburghopera.org.

COSÌ FAN TUTTEPreviews on WQED-FM 89.3 and WQED.ORG

Saturday, October 31
from 12:30 PM - 1:00 PM and

Friday, November 6
from 7:00 PM - 7:30 PM

Hosted
by WQED, and broadcast over the airwaves on WQED-FM 89.3 as well as the WQED
website, the COSÌ FAN TUTTE preview gives listeners an engaging introduction to
the singers, music and story of the opera. For more information: pittsburghopera.org

Audio Description: COSÌ
FAN TUTTE
Tuesday, November 10

Benedum Center

Ticketholders with visual impairments are invited to use
Pittsburgh Opera’s Audio
Description service at our Tuesday performances. Trained volunteers describe
the scenery, costumes, and stage action via headphones. Those wishing to use
Audio Description
should reserve seats to the Tuesday, October 13 performance: contact Randy
Adams at 412-281-0912, ext. 213 or groups@pittsburghopera.org.
Braille and large-print programs are also available.

Meet the Artists of COSÌ
FAN TUTTE

Tuesday, November 10

Immediately following
the opera, in the Benedum Center’s Lower Lobby

Ticketholders
for the Tuesday, November 10th performance of COSÌ FAN TUTTE are invited to
gather in the Benedum Lower Lobby immediately following the performance for
interviews with General
Director Christopher Hahn and the stars of the opera. This event is free to
all Tuesday performance ticketholders.

George R. White Opera
Studio, Pittsburgh
Opera Headquarters, 2425
Liberty Avenue
At the second Brown Bag concert of the season, our Resident
Artists will treat you to an all-Mozart program. Guests can meet the
performers after this casual, one-hour concert. Free and open to everyone; no
RSVP required. Bring a friend and bring a lunch! Doors open at 11:30 a.m. Handicapped
parking available by reservation. For more information:

Pittsburgh Opera celebrates its 77th season in 2015-16. Established
by five intrepid women in 1939, Pittsburgh Opera is viewed as one of the most
vibrant opera organizations in the U.S., with a rich artistic tradition,
outstanding educational programs, an acclaimed artist training program, and a
progressive outlook toward the future. Its green initiative culminated in LEED®
Silver certification for its Strip District headquarters, and its capacity as a
true community partner has increased significantly under General Director
Christopher Hahn’s leadership.

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